Wall is out for most, if not all, of the season because of a ruptured Achilles tendon — Sheppard said the NBA has not ruled on whether Washington can use a disabled player exception — leaving Beal as the unquestioned best player and leader of the Wizards. “Really excited to see what Bradley Beal does this season,” Sheppard said. “He’s a tremendous cornerstone of this franchise. We’re very blessed to have him.”
More on John Wall Injury
Ted Leonsis: We are all proud of John Wall and how he is progressing and working on his recovery – physically, emotionally and psychologically; He's working on his college degree too, and we intend to embrace him as an organization. nbcsports.com/washington/wiz…
What about the other scenario, with the Heat taking on both Wall and Beal with the understanding that Miami wouldn’t need to give up nearly as much quality in return? As we reported in early July, that scenario has been seriously discussed inside the Heat and there’s sentiment to do that, because of how much the Heat loves Beal and because of the internal belief that Miami can get Wall back to All-Star level following his ruptured Achilles, which is expected to sideline him this upcoming season.
Chase Hughes: Today is John Wall’s annual backpack giveaway, this time in Capitol Heights, MD. He just addressed the media, saying he doesn’t want to sit out all of next year but will listen to Wizards doctors. More later @NBCSWizards. pic.twitter.com/lzHg0PjOkQ
Durant's familiarity and comfort level with the Nets medical staff was a major determining factor in him ultimately signing a deal to come to Brooklyn. While most critics are scoffing at the thought of Durant seeing the hardwood this upcoming season, according to Weinfeld, Durant's chances are exceedingly better than that of injured Wizards star John Wall's. "A point guard plays a different kind of game than Kevin Durant does," noted Dr. Weinfeld. "An explosive type athlete, his demand is different than that of Kevin Durant's. You talk about odds of coming back to where he was, I think Durant's odds are better than an athlete like John Wall whose whole game is quickness and explosiveness. He [Wall] counts much more on those muscles being exactly where they need to be as opposed to a player like Durant and his style.
While many expect not to see either Wall or Durant until the 2020-2021 season, Dr. Weinfeld is confident that Durant can return to the player fans saw lead the Warriors to two championships, three straight finals appearances, and dominate the NBA as a two-time Finals MVP and league MVP. "I think he'll probably be somewhere between 90 and 100 percent," stated Dr. Weinfeld. "That's my thought assuming everything goes smoothly and he doesn't have any setbacks I think you can expect somehwere in the 90 to 100 percent range."
Sam Vecenie: The Washington Wizards have applied for a Disabled Player Exception in respect to John Wall, per a source. Team has not yet received notification from league as to whether or not the application has been granted or denied.
But on Monday night, Wall, standing upright and looking trim in a pink suit jacket, shared an updated timeline for his rehabilitation. “I’m about to start jogging in like two weeks,” he told NBC Sports Washington on the red carpet of the NBA Awards show in Santa Monica, Calif. “Just riding the bike,” Wall said, describing his current workload. “I get to do exercises standing up now, so I don’t have to sit down. I’m able to move, do ladder steps, doing those types of things.”
With that in mind, Leonsis is taking the long view. He wants Wall and the Wizards to get his rehab right, no matter how long it takes. "John understands his commitment will show from this rehab," Leonsis told NBC Sports Washington on the Wizards Talk podcast. "If it takes the whole season, we don't care. We are not putting pressure on you on a time. "Make sure that you are rehabilitating in the right way so that when you do come back, you don't have that little voice in your head [saying] 'did I do everything the right way to be able to come back and be a great, great player?'"
From a distance, Arenas has watched as Wall has endured multiple knee surgeries and, now, a pair of Achilles surgeries that ended his 2018-19 season and could end his 2019-20 season before it begins. He knows Wall. He knows the franchise. He knows the fans. And he knows the media pressure and inevitable story lines. His message to Wall, who inherited the Wizards from him as the top pick in the 2010 draft, is this: The prospect of another long-term rehabilitation might be excruciating and the injuries might require adjustments, but your career isn’t over. “John Wall is still going to be a valuable point guard,” Arenas said, by phone from Las Vegas where he attended the Big 3 draft Wednesday. “He will still have his IQ. His speed is going to be there. He might lose some jumping ability. He’s still going to be better than above-average, better than Ricky Rubio and Lonzo Ball. Why do people want to get rid of him? For what? A lesser player? Because that’s what you’re going to get.”
A person close to Wall said this injury, dismaying as it is, is what he probably needed to “grow up” some more. Nothing like the prospect of facing basketball mortality to inspire some maturity. Wall said he’s spent his time away from the game to enjoy the time he gets to share with his infant son, Ace. He’s also gained a greater appreciation for the game and what it has provided for him and his family. And, he’s been bathing in the words of his detractors. “Just hearing what people say, that just keeps my fuel going,” Wall said. “I read all the articles. It’s over. His career is over. All that type of stuff. So, it’s fun for me.”
Wall spoke to reporters at halftime of the Wizards’ last regular-season game Tuesday night. He said his goal is to return next season, “but whenever the doctors clear me and get to that point, then I will know.”
Candace Buckner: John Wall spoke to media during halftime of the #Wizards game. He says he's "almost" close to getting the stitches removed from his left foot. When the stitches are taken out, he will no longer have to use a scoooter, but just a walking boot for the next month.
Fred Katz: Wall said he reads "all the articles" and what people say keeps him going. So, what do people say? "'It’s over. His career is over.' All that type of stuff. So, it’s fun for me."
Fred Katz: John Wall on how he’d feel if the Wizards drafted a point guard: “I’d be fine. I have no problem with that because it is what it is. You have to do what’s best for the team...We wanna make sure that we have pieces. And when I come back, he can be a great backup to me.”
Wall and the Wizards have not discussed the potential of him sitting out for the entire 2019-20 season, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The plan remains for Wall to rehabilitate and come back healthy, however long that takes. Whether he plays or not, Wall’s “supermax” contract extension is set to begin next season, making him one of the highest-paid players in the NBA: He’ll have a $37.8 million starting salary.
Adrian Wojnarowski: The biggest concern for potential candidates with Washington: How to engage on a rebuild with John Wall’s massive long-term contract and serious injury looming over franchise.
Chase Hughes: John Wall worked the crowd signing autographs and taking pictures on his way to the bench at halftime, still moving by way of a scooter. pic.twitter.com/GhzZ1ekuCl
Chase Hughes: Joel Embiid said he texted John Wall when he heard the news of his Achilles injury. He said to get through it, Wall needs to “trust the process.” pic.twitter.com/RsGhfp8ZUQ
Shams Charania: Sources: Wizards star John Wall underwent successful surgery on his ruptured Achilles tendon. He will be out for 12 months.
John Wall has a history of trying to play through pain. His latest setback is forcing the Washington Wizards guard to take a different approach. "I guess God is telling me something," Wall said Friday night about the ruptured Achilles tendon that will force him to miss at least the majority of the 2019-20 season. "To sit down and get yourself fully healthy. I've played through injuries my whole career. I know a lot of people who played through injuries and don't sit down. That's one thing I don't like to do. If something that's nagging or not broken, I want to play. I guess it kind of caught up to me."
But Wall, whose $170 million "supermax" contract extension kicks starting next season, is optimistic about his future. "All the people that talk negative like 'You're not coming back,' that just motivates me even more," Wall said. Wall suffered the Achilles injury after slipping and falling at home. "I understand I had an infection and getting off antibiotics, I felt like something wasn't going right," Wall said. "I slipped, but I don't think that's the main reason. ... My pain was still the same. I didn't have discomfort."
Hoop District: John Wall on support from #DCFamily: "This whole organization, this city period, from day one they embraced me. This is like a second home to me. As long as I’ve got their support and the organization behind me, I don’t care what the outside world says."
Jeff Zillgitt: Can confirm Otto Porter Jr is headed to the Bulls. The Wizards were content to keep Otto Porter Jr. as recent as earlier this week. But that was before news of the John Wall injury, which changed things for Washington.
Malika Andrews: More Brooks on John Wall: “He's definitely going to be missed. You're not going to replace a 5-time All-Star that is in the prime of his career. So you have to overcome it if you want to move forward as a group.”
He hasn’t yet spoken with reporters since the team announced his surgery, but the press release stated that Wall suffered the ruptured Achilles “slipping and falling in his home.” Dr. Douoguih said on the conference call that the slip occurred while getting into the shower Jan. 29. Wall informed Douoguih about the fall, but doctors didn’t realize he had ruptured the Achilles in the moment. Douoguih discovered it Monday while performing an exploratory surgery to treat an infection that resulted from the initial surgery to remove the bone spurs, which Wall underwent on Jan. 8.
Wall, who already had season-ending surgery on his left heel on Jan. 8, will be sidelined for about the next 12 months after rupturing his left Achilles tendon on Tuesday. The Wizards said that Wall slipped and fell at his home last week. So, Cousins spoke with Wall on Tuesday morning. “It sucks. It’s unfortunate,” said Cousins who injured his left Achilles tendon last season with the New Orleans Pelicans. “But me knowing John as well as I do, I know he’ll overcome this. There’s no doubt in my mind about that. He’s overcome a lot more obstacles in his life. Just add this to the list.”
“I know John pretty well. He’s a mentally strong guy,” said Cousins, who played with Wall at the University of Kentucky. “I basically told him to prepare for the hard days because there’s a lot. Through it all, make sure you try to better yourself each day. Once that day is behind you, move on to the next regardless of the results. That was my advice. There’s no doubt in my mind he’ll come back.”
Isaiah Thomas: Praying for my brother @John Wall
Karl-Anthony Towns: Prayers up for my kentucky brother @John Wall 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
Marcin Gortat: Crazy:(
Wizards guard John Wall will undergo surgery to repair a ruptured left Achilles tendon. The procedure, which has yet to be scheduled, will be performed by Dr. Robert Anderson in Green Bay, WI. Wall is expected to return to full basketball activity in approximately 12 months from the time of the surgery.
Wall had developed an infection in the incision from initial surgery on Jan. 8 (a debridement and repair of a Haglund’s deformity and a chronic Achilles tendon injury in his left heel that was also performed by Dr. Anderson) and he suffered the rupture after slipping and falling in his home. The rupture was diagnosed by Wizards Director of Medical Services and Orthopedist Dr. Wiemi Douoguih during a procedure to clean out the infection.
Shams Charania: Sources @TheAthleticNBA @WatchStadium: The NBA has granted the Washington Wizards an $8.6M Disabled Player Exception for loss of star guard John Wall. Washington has a March 11 deadline to use the exception.
Chase Hughes: The Wizards still haven’t heard from the league on the $8.6M disabled player exception for John Wall’s season-ending injury, I’m told. But, as I wrote the day they applied, they expect to get it. Also, still no guarantee they will use the money given their cap situation.
Shams Charania: Sources on @TheAthleticNBA @WatchStadium: The Washington Wizards have applied to the NBA for an $8.6M disabled player exception for loss of All-Star John Wall.
While his teammates were in Philadelphia, Wall was in Green Bay, Wis., to remove bone spurs in his left heel. Wall will need to rehabilitate for the next six to eight months, leaving the Wizards with only Tomas Satoransky and Randle as the point guards for the time being.
Candace Buckner: John Wall is undergoing surgery for his left heel today. Chasson Randle said the two have texted this morning before the procedure and Wall shared encouragement with Randle after his contract became guaranteed.
Some of this is out of his control. The whispers about Wall’s knees have been going around the NBA for years. Fewer people knew about the bone spurs that are now pressing up against his Achilles’, but he’s had those for years, too, and gone through a lot to suit up most every night he could. That should be praised.
Fred Katz: John Wall on his bone spurs: “Some days it would be great. Some days it would be terrible, couldn’t play.” pic.twitter.com/gSKg13D2RF
Chase Hughes: John Wall on who is almost certainly Stephen A. Smith: "You know who the guy is... It's like this, if you have a personal problem with me, come talk to me like a man... when you want to take things to a personal level, you can have a conversation with me 1-on-1 as a man."
Chris Mannix: Wizards make it official: @John Wall done for the season.
Wizards guard John Wall will undergo a debridement and repair of a Haglund’s deformity and a chronic Achilles tendon injury in his left heel. The procedure will be performed by Dr. Robert Anderson in Green Bay, WI, next week on a day to be determined. Wall is expected to return to full basketball activity in approximately six to eight months.
The procedure was determined to be the best course of action to relieve pain and inflammation in Wall’s heel after consultation between Dr. Anderson, Dr. David Porter of Indianapolis, IN, and Wizards Director of Medical Services and Orthopedist Dr. Wiemi Douoguih.
Fred Katz: Scott Brooks confirms John Wall is "likely" to have season-ending surgery on his left heel: "But as we speak, doctors and multiple specialists along with our doctors are confirming...And that's the news."
Fred Katz: Brooks on when he knew severity of Wall's injury: "I knew he was meeting with a specialist, and when you meet with a specialist, it's serious."
Tom Haberstroh: Am told that John Wall has a bone “spur stuck in his Achilles.” Surgery would shave down the bone spur in his heel and smooth it out.
Washington Wizards star John Wall is planning to undergo season-ending surgery to repair bone spurs in his left heel, league sources told ESPN. Wall, 28, is expected to finalize a timetable for the procedure in the coming days, sources said. Recovery could sideline the point guard for six months.
Doctors determined the procedure is necessary for Wall to remedy an issue that has bothered him for over a year. Wall met with specialist Dr. Robert Anderson on Saturday, who recommended the surgery. Wall was trying to play through the injury but it was getting worse, sources said, and opting to have the surgery now now should allow him to return healthy for the start of next season.
Albert Nahmad: Wizards have until January 15 to apply for a $9.6M Disabled Player Exception for John Wall. If granted, they could use it to acquire a player via signing (1-year only), trade (expiring only), or waiver claim (expiring only). But, at $6.5M over tax line, using it would be costly.
Bobby Marks: Some notes re: John Wall: * Insurance covers 80% of the salary or up to $275K after 41 games missed. * Washington could apply for a Disabled Player Exception worth up to $8.6M if the league deems Wall is out until 6/15.
Candace Buckner: DEVELOPING: After consulting with a foot specialist, #Wizards five-time all-star John Wall is contemplating surgery. If he does go forward with the procedure he will miss 6 to 8 months, The Post has learned.
Shams Charania: Sources: Washington Wizards guard John Wall is considering surgery on his injured left heel, which would sideline him six-to-eight months.
David Aldridge: Per source, @John Wall will see Dr. Robert Anderson, the foot specialist who is currently associate team physician for the Packers. Anderson has operated on several stars across multiple sports over the years, including @Stephen Curry, @Kevin Durant, @Cam Newton and Derek Jeter.
Candace Buckner: Scott Brooks on Wall's bone spurs injury: “I’ve been here three years and it’s been off and on but we’ve [#Wizards training staff] all been able to manage it. Two times in a row with me as a coach he’s been an all-star and he’s been an all-star three years prior to that. He’s been able to do it and sometimes there are times where he’s able to fight through and like tonight, he can’t do it.””
Fred Katz: Brooks said Wall will see the specialist "hopefully tomorrow," but did not specify a date or timetable for Wall's return. Repeated that the team will know more later.
Fred Katz: Satoransky starting for Wall, per Brooks.
Chase Hughes: John Wall is OUT and will see a specialist for his left heel bone spur. Markieff Morris is OUT with neck stiffness.
Fred Katz: Wall's bone spurs in his left heel starting to get particularly bad during the Wizards' loss at Cleveland on Dec. 8. He missed the Dec. 10 game at Indiana but returned to the lineup for the following one against Boston.
KC Johnson: John Wall is out vs. Bulls with sore left heel.
Fred Katz: John Wall said he's feeling well now: "Me? I'm good. I'm good now. Still a little cold, but I wasn't as bad as I was the other day. Got a lot of hydration."
Fred Katz: Wall is playing. Otto Porter out.
Chase Hughes: John Wall is out due to illness. He will miss his third game of the season. Tomas Satoransky is starting in his place. This should help the chances Ron Baker debuts.
Candace Buckner: John Wall and Markieff Morris both did not practice today... out sick.
Candace Buckner: Looks like John Wall, who is out tonight with left heel soreness, went through a pregame workout. Notice the shooting shirt...drenched with sweat. pic.twitter.com/FFlxkAPjox
Chris Miller: No John Wall tonight vs. #Pacers (Left Heel Soreness) #WizPacers #DCFamily #NBATwitter
Fred Katz: John Wall did not practice today, per Scott Brooks. Brooks said he’s feeling better with his illness (he was under the weather yesterday and missed shootaround because of it) but sat because of the bone spurs that have been bugging him. Wall’s status is uncertain for tomorrow.
Candace Buckner: John Wall spent most of the postgame sitting near his stall and using a device to massage up & down his left leg. He’s been dealing with a lingering bone spur in his left heel. He took five shots and three from the arc —Wall said the injury kept him from driving as he likes to.
Candace Buckner: Asked John Wall to explain what's going on with his left heel, something that he has been dealing with this season and in the past: “It’s just like a bone spur. … I probably shouldn’t have played, that’s my fault. But you learn from your mistakes.”
In their four postseason appearances together, Wall and Beal failed to make it to the second round this year for the first time. Their long-time goal has been to break through the second-round barrier and into the Eastern Conference finals. "For me [this] was upsetting [mostly] because I missed 40-something games," said Wall, who missed a total of 41 games this season -- 28 straight after he had surgery on his left knee in January.
